Abstract: A local device associated with a communication network is tested for signs of tampering by downloading from a remote device, via the network, a policing code object into the local device. The policing code object is executed within the local device and a message including the results of tests performed by the policing code object are evaluated to determine whether corrective action is required.

Abstract: A system for inserting commercials into an audiovisual bit stream by providing cue commands in response to cue tones in a pre-existing analog signal, and/or in response to control signals from an uplink (/programmer/network) site or headend (/affiliate). Firmware upgrades are provided to a digital encoder to facilitate generating spliceable bit streams and generation of cue_commands. This enables commercial insertion at an uplink site (/programmer/network) as well as at a cable television headend (/affiliate). The system provides functional compatibility between a digital bit stream and the analog cue tones. The cue commands are preferably carried in the transport layer of the bit stream so there is no need to decode and process several layers of the bit stream.

Abstract: A self-configurable multipurpose modular portable device and methods for configuring same are provided. Portable device 10 includes a transceiver 20 for wireless communication with a main consumer device 100. Portable device 10 also includes a processor 40 for configuring portable device 10 and modular component 50 based on communications received wirelessly from main consumer device 100. Attachment points 30 are provided on portable device 10 for attaching one or more modular components 50. Depending on the desired functionality, the corresponding modular component 50 (e.g., cellular telephone, personal digital assistant, pager, etc.) may be attached to the portable device 10. The modular portable device can be configured to communicate wirelessly with other intelligent devices, such as Internet enabled appliances and entertainment devices. Further, the modular components 50 can be configured wirelessly to provide independent functionality when not attached to the portable device 10.

Abstract: The apparatus and method for information and content portability includes a transmitting device, a media device, and at least one receiver/playback device. The transmitting device transfers information or content, optionally as encrypted data over a secured channel in accordance with digital rights management rules. The media device, being interfaced to the transmitting device, receives the transferred information or content from the transmitting device and retransmits the content received from the transmitting device to at least one receiver/playback device. The receiver/playback device, being interfaced to the media device, receives and processes the information or content received that's been retransmitted by the media device. The devices may be co-located or not (i.e., home, automobile, or office) and may optionally leverage set-top, home gateways, and personal communication devices to facilitate portability.

Abstract: The method and apparatus for distributing multimedia content over a network to a plurality of networked and portable devices affords a system operator the ability to control the unauthorized distribution and playback of content transferred by the system operator to a user of that system. The transferred content in the form of encrypted data is distributed over the network from a set-top terminal/personal versatile recorder to at least one playback device, in accordance with rights established by the system operator or the content provider, where the content is decrypted for subsequent playback by the authorized device (s). The method also addresses illegal propagation of content.

Abstract: User customizable advanced closed caption capabilities are provided using closed caption information, such as that described in the Electronic Industries Association (EIA) Television Data Systems Subcommittee standards, EIA-608 or EIA-708. The invention allows the user to override the closed caption presentation format as selected by the originator (e.g., programmer or broadcaster), in order to select alternate presentation attributes based on the user's preference. The invention may also be implemented to customize other forms of text information (e.g., subtitles.). The invention also allows for storage and subsequent retrieval and review of text included within the closed caption information, which text serves as a transcript of the program. The methods and apparatus provided are independent of the type of delivery network, content format, and receiver type. In an example embodiment, closed caption information is extracted (e.g.

Abstract: Described are a method and apparatus to enhance the use and recording features of the personal versatile recorder. The personal versatile recording includes plurality of tuners, wherein the content is individually selectable by each tuner of the plurality of tuners. When a first tuner of the plurality of tuners is tuned to an original channel to select original channel content for viewing, the original channel is the viewed channel. The original channel content is cached while presenting the original channel content for viewing. A second tuner of the plurality of tuners may be tuned to at least one subsequent channel to select subsequent channel content for viewing while simultaneously caching the original channel content for subsequent viewing. Other capabilities include annotation, frame cropping, graphical manipulation and storage, segment recording, automatic recording based on advertised content, and prevention of unauthorized disk portability and usage.

Abstract: Described are methods and apparatus to enhance the use and recording features of the personal versatile recorder. A method and apparatus for accurately recording selected events despite the ambiguity of start and end times is described. The recording is done by a personal versatile recorder that is connected to, or integrated in, a cable television set-top terminal, satellite, off-air or other wireless receiver. Also described is a method and apparatus for handling pay-per-view events, as well as wirelessly accessing and recording of various content on other connected peripherals. The personal versatile recorder includes a central processing unit and a hard drive for mass data storage. Preferably, the personal versatile recorder and associated set-top device have dual tuners for receiving and recording one or more transport streams from the cable system as well as analog or digital audiovisual programming.

Abstract: A method for providing authentication, authorization and access control of software object residing in digital set-top terminals creates a fingerprint (“signature”) for each software object, associates each fingerprint with a service tier, encodes each association and creates an association table containing the information and downloads the association table to the digital set-top terminal. In addition, the method utilizes an entitlement management message, sent to each set-top terminal, indicating what software objects the set-top terminal may utilize, and provides a system routine at the digital set-top terminal that is invoked whenever software object is about to be utilized. The entitlement management message contains the access rights given to a particular set-top terminal, which must match the software object's access requirements for the software object to be utilized.

Abstract: An adaptive protocol CATV communication system is embodied in a decentralized communication arrangement, wherein the communicating nodes are located at various points within the CATV system. Each communicating node has two protocol syntax processing components: 1) a protocol syntax processor (PSP) which is a downloadable software component that processes of incoming frames; and 2) an adaptive protocol processor which is a fixed software component that oversees the replacement of an old PSP with a new PSP. A master node initiates the migration from an old PSP to a new PSP by sending the new PSP image frames to a slave node. After the new PSP image is complete, the slave node enters a verification mode to test the new PSP. The master node sends special test frames to the slave node to verify the operability of the new PSP by using the old PSP. The results of the verification are conveyed back to the master node to take the appropriate actions.

Abstract: A network architecture for delivery of broadcast and interactive digital services over a hybrid fiber-coax distribution system. The network includes at least one remote/local hub that communicates with a plurality of video information providers (VIPs) and a plurality of headends/central offices. Each headend communicates with a plurality of settop terminals. The hub includes a backbone subnetwork which provides the physical medium for components within the hub to communicate with each other, and for entities located outside the hub, such as the VIPs and the headends, to communicate with, and through, the hub. The hub processes broadcast digital information services from a VIP and distributes the services directly to the plurality settop terminals. The network architecture permits two-way transparent data transport service between the VIPs and the video information users.

Abstract: The hybrid medium access control MAC system is configurable to the type of communication required to support a desired application or service. The MAC system analyzes services requested from a settop terminal, or a network controller client, and determines the best MAC component for transmitting signals upstream based on the resources required by the service and the available network resources. A portion of the upstream channel spectrum is allocated to each of the MAC components: 1) POP; 2) assigned static TDMA; 3) assigned dynamic multi-rate TDMA; and 4) random slot reservation-dynamic slot allocation TDMA. Depending upon the communication requirements of the service desired, the configurable MAC system will select the MAC component best suited to support the service. A frequency agile transmitter is then tuned to the channel which has been preallocated for the selected MAC component(s).

Abstract: The hybrid medium access control MAC system is configurable to the type of communication required to support a desired application or service. The MAC system analyzes services requested from a settop terminal, or a network controller client, and determines the best MAC component for transmitting signals upstream based on the resources required by the service and the available network resources. A portion of the upstream channel spectrum is allocated to each of the MAC components: 1) POP; 2) assigned static TDMA; 3) assigned dynamic multi-rate TDMA; and 4) random slot reservation--dynamic slot allocation TDMA. Depending upon the communication requirements of the service desired, the configurable MAC system will select the MAC component best suited to support the service. A frequency agile transmitter is then tuned to the channel which has been preallocated for the selected MAC component(s).